2025 WPTA USA–Illinois International Piano Competition

Rules & Regulations (In-person edition · December 6–7, 2025 · Urbana/Champaign, IL)

I. About the Competition

1.1 Overview

The World Piano Teachers Association USA–Illinois International Piano Competition (WPTA USA–IL IPC) is an annual piano competition organized by the WPTA USA–Illinois Chapter under the framework of the World Piano Teachers Association International Piano Competition (WPTA IPC), and hosted in collaboration with the Community Center for the Arts, which generously provides the competition venue. The 2025 in-person edition is scheduled for December 6, 2025.

1.2 Eligibility

The competition welcomes pianists of all nationalities and ages, from young beginners to adult amateurs (see Section III for details).

1.3 Mission

• Identify and celebrate outstanding pianistic talent at all levels.
• Offer top prize winners a Winners Concert performance opportunity before an audience of peers, teachers, and members of the public.
• Encourage educational and social interaction between participants, teachers, and adjudicators, fostering a sense of artistic community.

1.4 Winners Concert

The Winners Concert will take place on December 7, 2025, at McKinley Memorial Presbyterian Church (801 S 5th St, Champaign, Illinois). First and Second Prize winners from each division will be invited to perform one selected piece at this concert.

1.5 Prize Awards & Jury Rights

First Prize winners in each division will receive the designated cash prize. Prize structure and jury rights are detailed in Sections IV and V.

1.6 Certificates

All participants will receive an official certificate of participation. Teachers of prize-winning students will receive an official Excellence in Teaching Certificate in recognition of their students’ outstanding achievements.

II. Application

2.1 Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by November 25, 2025 (23:59 CST). Late submissions will not be accepted.

2.2 Divisions

Participants must perform the repertoire requirements as listed in Section III, Divisions & Repertoire Requirements table.

• Elementary I: Ages 6 and under
• Elementary II: Ages 7–8
• Elementary III: Ages 9–10
• Junior I: Ages 11–12
• Junior II: Ages 13–15
• Senior: Ages 16–18
• Amateur Adult: Ages 19+ (not enrolled in a piano degree program or employed as a professional musician/teacher)

2.3 Participation

Contestants will perform live before the jury at the Community Center for the Arts (202 W Main St, Urbana, Illinois) on December 6, 2025. Exact schedule and venue information will be sent after registration closes.

2.4 Results Announcement

Results will be announced by the end of the competition day on December 6, 2025 (no later than 23:59 CST), and winners will also be recognized at the Winners Concert at 4 PM, December 7, 2025.

2.5 Application Form

All candidates must complete the online application form via the following link:
https://forms.gle/wJdAFVPJhvvRTRFeA

2.6 Confirmation

Applicants will receive an email confirmation once both the application form and entry fee payment have been received.

2.7 Important Notes

Incomplete applications will not be processed. In the event of withdrawal by the applicant, entry fees will not be refunded.

III. Divisions & Repertoire Requirements

Additional Rules

• Contrasting Pieces: Participants are encouraged to select works of contrasting style, tempo, and character to demonstrate versatility.
• Timing: Total performance time includes all pieces. There is no minimum time limit. Judges may stop a performance if the maximum time is exceeded.
• Memorization: Required for all divisions except Elementary I (optional) and Amateur Adult (encouraged but not required).
• Scores: Participants must bring two copies of the score with measure numbers for the judges.

IV. Entry Fees & Prizes

4.1 Entry Fees & Awards

Cash awards are presented to First Prize winners only in each division.

4.2 Additional Awards & Recognition

• Winners Concert: First and Second Prize winners from each division are invited to perform one selected piece at the Winners Concert on December 7, 2025.
• Certificates: All participants will receive a certificate of participation on the day of the competition. First, Second, Third Prize, and Honorable Mention recipients will receive an additional prize certificate, presented on stage during the Award Ceremony at the beginning of the Winners Concert.
• Excellence in Teaching Award: Presented to teachers of prize-winning students. Certificates may be collected in person within three weeks after the competition or mailed upon request (postage covered by recipient).

4.3 Notes

• Jury comments are available upon request after results are announced (allow two to three weeks). Scanned copies of the original jury comment sheets will be emailed to participants.
• Winners Concert participation is an integral part of the competition. See Section 6.1 regarding cash prize eligibility.
• Applications are considered final upon submission. Please review all details carefully before submitting.

V. Competition Jury & Results

5.1 Jury Composition

The competition jury comprises an international panel of pianists and piano educators who are selected for their artistic excellence and professional reputation.

5.2 Jury Decisions

• All jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
• The jury reserves the right not to award a prize in any division if the required artistic standard is not met.
• The jury may choose to share prizes (e.g., joint winners) when candidates are of equal merit.

VI. Winners Concert Rules

6.1 Eligibility

• Due to program scheduling, performance slots at the Winners Concert are limited to First and Second Prize winners.
• If a First Prize winner declines the invitation to perform at the Winners Concert, the winner status is retained, but the cash prize will be forfeited.

6.2 Award Ceremony

A brief Award Ceremony will be held at the beginning of the Winners Concert. All prize recipients (First, Second, Third Prize, and Honorable Mention) are invited to attend and receive their certificates on stage. This is a special opportunity to celebrate all winners and for official photography.

6.3 Certificate Distribution

• Participation certificates are available for all participants on the day of the competition.
• Certificates for prize winners will be distributed at the Winners Concert; mailing is available upon request (postage covered by recipient).

6.4 Personal Belongings

The organizing committee is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal belongings of participants during the Winners Concert or related events.

6.5 Minors

Participants under 18 years old must be under the supervision and responsibility of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) at all times.

VII. General Rules

7.1 Acceptance of Rules

By submitting an application and participating in the WPTA USA–IL International Piano Competition, applicants agree to abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the competition committee.

7.2 Right to Amend

The competition committee reserves the right to make changes to the rules, schedule, or prize information at any time. Any updates will be communicated to participants via email and posted on the official competition website.

7.3 Unforeseen Circumstances

The organizing committee reserves the right to make final decisions regarding any unforeseen circumstances not covered by these rules.

7.4 Media Consent

By participating, applicants grant the WPTA USA–IL IPC permission to use their image, biography, performance footage, and competition videos for promotional and publicity purposes, including publication on the WPTA USA–IL IPC website and social media, without additional compensation.

7.5 Enquiries

For questions, please contact:
Dr. Wan Lin
usa-illinois@wpta.info
President, WPTA USA–Illinois Chapter
Founder & Artistic Director, WPTA USA–Illinois IPC